Curriculum Statement

Curriculum Statement

We seek to offer a broad, practical and activity based curriculum. We aim to make our curriculum available to all pupils. All classes follow the relevant parts of the National Curriculum for their age group, with a strong emphasis on the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and ICT. The foundation subjects of Art, Music, Technology, Geography, History, and PE are also taught in line with National Curriculum guidelines and varied according to the age group and abilities of the pupils. Children in the Reception Class follow the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Educational visits as well as video and on-line resources are used throughout the year to enrich the work in class and support the curriculum. Swimming lessons are available for pupils from Year 3 to Year 5 on a rota basis. Children swim at Royton Pool. Fully qualified and experienced professionals are also employed to enhance the provision of music and PE.

Children with special educational needs will follow the normal curriculum as far as possible and may have extra support during the day especially where there is a “Educational Health Care Plan” or targeted funding for a particular child.

Children are often grouped for academic work in ability groups so that they are working on material appropriate to their level of achievement. For other subjects they will more usually work in mixed ability groups.

ICT is a core subject within the National Curriculum. These skills are developed across the whole curriculum. E-safety and responsible internet use are embedded within the ICT policy, Safeguarding policy and the school’s curriculum.

We have developed a Curriculum that aims to:

be broad and balanced .

build up children’s confidence and motivation to learn through the use of a range of learning and teaching styles.

embed key skills in order to prepare children for real-life and everyday situations.

provide opportunities to apply knowledge and learning in practical ways.

provide a creative approach to planning and delivery that will incorporate and embed key aspects of the National Curriculum especially Literacy and Computing.

provide enrichment opportunities where learning and teaching can take place beyond the classroom.

shape our curriculum to meet the needs of our children.

stimulate our children’s natural curiosity and to give them the confidence to be curious.

develop key learning skills. We encourage flexibility and resourcefulness to enable pupils to use their strengths in one area to overcome challenges in another.

ensure our children are active, motivated and enthusiastic learners.

ensure our children know what they are learning and why.

allow time to engage, reflect and review – including peer and self-evaluation.

use a wealth of relevant resources – in classrooms, outdoors, in the local community and the wider area, including visits and visitors

allow our children to demonstrate their learning in different ways – not always pages in an exercise book but photographs, posters, products, presentations, performances.

The Curriculum has been organised through a ‘topic based’ approach which incorporates the key objectives set out in the National Curriculum. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum Although links can be made with all subjects, some subjects are taught as dedicated, discrete sessions. Throughout Key Stage 1 the ‘Letters and Sounds’ scheme is used to develop phonic skills. The ‘Oxford Reading Tree’ materials are used as a basis for the development of reading skills.

Mathematics – we have adopted the latest Abacus scheme ( designed to meet all new national curriculum objectives) as a basis for mathematics teaching.

English –is linked where possible to the class topic but separate Spelling, Handwriting and Grammar sessions are used to develop specific skills.

We use the ‘Building Learning Power’ approach to develop key learning skills The use of computing is encouraged in all topic areas and as a subject in its own right. Each class teacher is responsible for the delivery of the Curriculum. An overview of the curriculum aims for each year group is available on this site. All teaching staff are responsible for the planning and delivery of the curriculum on a day-to-day basis and for making cross-curricular links where appropriate. Staff make amendments to planning in order to meet the needs of pupils and optimise learning opportunities when they arise.

Additional information regarding the curriculum taught at Beal Vale is available by contacting the school Tel 01607705752 info@beal-vale.oldham.sch.uk.